Electrode holder



Sept. 22, 1936. A. J. FAUSEK 'ET AL 2,054,972

ELECTRODE HOLDER Filed July 50, 1934 ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 22, 1936 UNITED STATES 2,054,972Y ELECTRODE HOLDER Arthur J. Fausek and Irwing F. Fausek,

Clayton, Mo.

Application July 30, 1934, Serial No. 737,516

4 Claims.

This invention relates generally to electrode holders, and more specifically to electrode holders of the type employed in performing electrical welding operations, the predominant object of the invention being tov provide an electrode holder which is so constructed and arranged that in use it resembles appliers, in that the electrode-gripping action is obtained by squeezing together a pair of handle portions which causes the jaws of the electrode holder to move toward each other and grip the electrode. This arrangement diifers from the construction of electrode holders heretofore used in accordance with which the gripping action was obtained through the' action of springs which forced the handle portions apart to close the jaws, and the jaws were separated by squeezing the handle portions together against the action of the springs.

An extremely important feature of the invention is the unique and convenienly` operated means for locking the jaws of the electrode holder in a closed condition, -thus eliminating the necessity for an operator who is using the electrode holder to continuously apply pressure to the handles of the electrode holder in order to cause the jaws to grip the electrode. In the use of the improved electrode holder disclosed herein, the electrode is arranged between the separated jaws and the handle portions are squeezed together to cause the jaws to grip the electrode. locks the handle portions when they have been squeezed together andthe electrode is tightly held by the locked jaws until the locking means is released, Thus, whenan electrode has been locked in4 place between the jaws of `the iin-- proved electrode holder, a rigid electrode-gripping structure is provided which may be freely handled in performingthe welding operations without danger that the electrode might beaccidentally displaced. y

Fig. `1 is a side elevation of the improved electrode holder, the cable coupling means at the rear of the holder being shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentaryplan view of the electrode holder illustrated in Fig. 1, a portion of the uppermost handle portion being broken away anda portion of the shield being shown in section.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged. cross-section taken on line 3-3 of Figsl.

Flg. 4 is a v iew,partly in side elevation and partly in longitudinal section, ofanother form' of the invention.

The locking means referred to Fig. 5 is a. fragmentary longitudinal section lofanother form of the invention. -V Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of still v another form of the invention.l

Fig. '7 is a horizontal section taken on the line 5 'l-l of Fig. 6.

In the drawing, wherein are shown for the purpose of illustration, merely, several embodiments ofthe invention, and referring for the present to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, A designates the 10 improved electrode holder generally. The electrode holder A comprises a pair of holder members B and C, which are pivotally connected together by the pivot D. The holder member B includes a handle portion I and a jaw portion 15 2, while the holder member C includes a handle portion 3 and a jaw portion 4. As will be seen by referring to Fig. 1, the holder members B and C cross .each other at the pivot D, the handle portion I of the member B being located 20 above the handle portion 3 of the member C, while the'jaw portion 2 of the member B is located below the jaw portion 4 of the member C. Because of this arrangement it is-obvious a that when the handle portions I and 3 of the 25 holder members B and C are squeezed together the jaws 2 and 4' of said members will move toward each other. Likewise, when the handle portions I and 3 move away from each other, the jaws 2 and 4 will also move away from each 30 other. The jaws 2 and 4 are provided with electrode-gripping elements 5 which are provided with grooves 6 which facilitate the gripping of the electrodesl thereby.

A leaf spring 6 is interposed between the han- 35 dle portions I'and 3 of the members B and C, as shown in Fig. l, in such manner that said leaf spring tends to move saidchandle portions away from each other. This leaf spring is of more or less U-shaped formation with its leg portions 40 contacting with the inner faces of the handle portions of the members'B and C. Preferably at least one of the legs of the spring is welded or otherwise secured to one of the handle portions I or 3, so that the leaf spring may not be accidentally displaced from the electrode holder.

Secured to the rear end of the handle .portion 3 is a cable coupler 1, by means of which the electrical conductor E for conducting electrical energy to the electrode holder is attached to said electrode holder.; 'Ihe coupler 'l includes a member 8 which is providedwith a flattened portion 9 havingv an opening through which a bolt., I0 is passed. The bolt IIJ passes also through a similar opening formed through the handle portion 3, and in this manner the member 8 is rigidly fixed to the handle portion 3.

- The member 8 is provided with a portion II provided with external screw-threads I2, and a tapered head portion I3 which is 'extended rearwardly and is joined to the portion II by a reduced neck I4. Associated with the member 8 is a sleeve I5 which is provided with internal screw-threads I6 that engage the screw-threads I2 formed on the portion II of the member 8..

The portion of the sleeve l5 located rearwardly of the internally screw-threaded portion thereof is provided with an inwardly extended portion I1 at the rear end of the sleeve, and, at the forward end of this inwardly extended portion a shoulder I 8 is provided. The shoulder I8 receives in contact therewith a ring I9, as shown in Fig. 1.

In attaching an electrical conductor tothe electrode holder the insulation is stripped from an end portion of the conductor, as shown in Fig. l, and the metallic strands of the conductor are forced over the tapered head I3 of the member 8 so that said strands entirely surround said tapered head. Also the tapered head is caused to penetrate the group of metallic strands of the conductor tosuch distance that the end portions of said metallic strands extend into the depression at the reduced neck Irl of the member 8. The sleeve I5, which during passage of the metallic strands of the conductor over the tapered head I3 surrounds the conductor at a point rearwardly of the,end being attached to the coupler, is moved forwardly and is screwed.

on the screw-threaded portion II of the member 8, and during such forward movement of the sleeve the ring I9 contacts with the metallic strands of the conductor and forces said strands through a Wedging action into close contact with the face of the tapered head I3, so'as to cause said metallic strands to be clamped between the ring I9 and the face ofthe tapered head I3. In this manner the conductor is securely attached to the electrode holder so as to prevent accidental disconnection thereof and provide the necessary efficient electrical connection between the electrical conductor and the electrode holder. The ring I9 is removable from the sleeve I5 so that rings of different thicknesses may be employed with electrical conductors of different diameters.

As already stated herein, the coupler 1 is attached to the holder member C, and in order to electrically connect the holder member B tosaid coupler we employ a flexible connector 20. This exible connector is attached at one of its ends to the flattened portion 9 of the member 8 of the coupler by the bolt I0 already mentioned herein, and at its opposite end the flexible connector is secured by a bolt I0 to the rear end portion of the holder member B. The iiexible connector is of 'suicient length and flexibility to permit free movement of the handle portions I and 3 from and toward each other without hindrance therefrom.

Rigidly xed to the holder member B adjacent to therear end of the handle portion I thereof is a locking element 2|. This locking element -is round; in cross-section and -it is extended through an opening 22 formed through the handle portion 3 of the holder member C. The locking element 2I is provided with spirallly formed teeth 23 on its circumferential face, these teethxhaving substantiallyat upper faces 23 and in-l clined side faces 23". Due to the fact that the teeth are of spiral formation they may be cut with a suitable cutting device in somewhat the manner that screw-threads are cut.

Pivotally attached to the holder member C is a locking lever 26, said locking lever having a A hub portion 25 through which passes a pivot bolt 26 that is seated in an opening formed in the, holder member C. The locking lever 2li includes a portion 21 which contacts with the locking element 2| and engages the teeth thereof, said lever portion 21 having an inclined face 21 that corresponds to the inclined faces 23b of the teeth on the locking element. Extended in the opposite direction from the hub portion 25 the lo'cking lever includes a long lever portion 28 which is provided with an operating button 29 at its outer end. The locking lever` 24 includes also a torsional coil spring 3ll`which is wound about the hub portion 25 thereof, the opposite ends of said torsional coil spring being attached respectively to the locking lever 24 and the holder member C, so that said spring tends to maintain the lever portion 21 in contact with the toothed portion of the locking element 2l. It is obvious that when force is applied to the button 29 to move the long. lever portion 28 of the locking lever inwardly the force exerted bythe torsional coil spring will be overcome andthe short lever portion 21 will be moved away from the locking element so 'as to disengage said short lever portion from the teeth 23.

The electrode holder A includes a shield 3| which is xed to a support 32 carried by the holder member C. This shield is formed of fiber or other suitable material, and serves to protect the hand of aluser of the electrode holder from the heat generated when welding operations' are being performed with the aid of the holder. Also, the holder members are provided with co-acting depressions 33 into which electrodes may be inserted when it is desired to crack oif the hard protective coating from the electrodes preparatory to use thereof. By inserting the electrodes into the co-acting depressions and operating the handle portions of the holderto repeatedly pinch the electrode between the walls of the' depressions, the hard protective coating may be broken olf. If desired the walls of the depressions may be toothed or otherwise roughened so as .to facilitate the breaking off of the hard protective coating from the electrodes.

In the use of the improved electrode holder, the electrode is introduced between the separated jaws 2 and 4, after which the handle portions I,

and 3 are squeezed together against the action g of the spring 6. During movement of the handle portions l and 3 toward each other, the inclined face 21 of the short lever portion 21.

slides inactively over the inclined vfaces of the teeth 23 of the locking element. As the handle portions I and 3 are moved toward each other as described, the jaws 2 and 4 will also move toward each other to grip the electrode, and when the electrode has been firmly gripped between the jaws the inward movement of the handle portions will stop with the short lever portion of the locking lever in engagement with the flat top face of one of the teeth 23 of the locking element 2|. their electrode-gripping position and the electrode holder may be freely used without necessitating that the operator apply inward Ypressure on the handle portions to maintain the gripping action of the jaws. When it is desired to open.

This will hold the jaws in 7 .comprises a pair of substantially U-shaped members- 34 and 35, formed of fiber or other suitable electrical insulating material, which are secured to the handle portions of the holder members B and C. The leg portions of these U-shaped insulating members overlap each other, as shown in Fig. 3, so that they entirely enclose the metallic parts of the handleof the holder andare capable of relative movement as the handle portions i and 3 are moved toward and away from each other. The insulating members 34 and -35 extend from the shield 3i rearwardly to a point beyond the cable coupler 1. Also, the operating button, the support of whichl extends through openings formed in the insulating memi suitable electrical insulating material.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 4 a slightly diierent means for locking the jaws in a closed condition is shown. This means includes a -toothed locking element 36 which is' pivoted at 31 to ears 38 formed on the handle portion' 3n of the electrode holder.' lThe toothed locking element has a long arm 39 fixedly associated therewith, this arm extending forwardly of the electrode holder and being provided at its .forward end with an operating. button 46, the

supporting element 4| of which passes through an opening' 42 formed through the handle portion I'L of the electrode holder. The teeth 36 `of the locking element 36 areadapted for engagement with Va plate' .43 -which is fixed to the handle portion I, and a 'coil spring 44 is arranged between the handle'portions I and 3" 'in such manner that it tends to force said han- 'dle portions apart. Also a coil spring 45 is inter- .tion Il adjacent to the opening 42 formed therethrough so as tolimii;A movement of the forward portion of the long arm in a. direction toward the handle portion i.-

In the use of the electrode holder shown .ini

Fig. 4 the teeth'36 of the toothed locking -element 36 are engagedlby the plate 43--when the -handlepporticns I* and 3 'Pare squeezed together to move the jaws to the electrode-gripping posiz' tion; whereby thehandles and jaws are locked in the positions to which they have been moved.

When it is desired to. release the handle portions from their locked positions, the operating button `is depressed, thereby withdrawing the teeth 36' from the plate 43 and permitting the coil spring to force the handle portions apart.

The form of the invention shown in Fig. 5 is ysubstantially 'the same asl that shown. in Fig. 4,V with the exception that a separate operating lever 41 is associated therewith. This operating lever is pivoted at 48 to the handle portion 3b, and an adjusting screw 49, which passes through a screw-threaded 'opening formed through the handle portion ib. contacts with the operating lever 41. By manipulating the adjusting screw 49 the `iaw associated with the handle portion lb may be moved away from the jaw associated with the handle portion 31?, whereby the operation of the electrode holder is rendered easier, inasmuch as it would not be necessary to move the jaws apart against the action of the coil spring 44' a's great a distance as would be necessary if the adjusting screw were not employed.A v

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 the handle portion Ic has pivoted toit at 31' a toothed locking element 50, the teeth of .whichengage the edge of a plate 5| secured to the handle portion 3. The toothed locking element 50 is extended through an opening 52 formed through the handle portion 3c, and a torsional spring 53 is arranged about the pivot 31' of said toothed locking element in a manner to force the toothed edge of the locking element in contact with the edge of the plate 5i. The structure disclosed in Figs. 6 and '7 includes alsoa long lever 54 which is pivoted at 55 to the handle portion 3, one end of said .Y lever. being provided with a cam -face 56 which contacts with the toothed edge of the locking element 50 and the opposite end thereof having an operating button/ 51 'associated therewith. The long lever'54 is provided with a torsional coil spring. 58 which is arranged about its pivotal point` and tends to maintain the long lever in contact with the stop 59.

. When the handle portions of the structure il,

lustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 are forced together to cause the jaws (not shown) to grip an electrode,

Vone of the teeth of the locking element 50 'will engage the plate 5I to lock the handle portions in the positions to which they have beenl moved.-

When it is'desired to permit the handle portions 'to vmove apart to separate the jaws, the long lever is moved by applying inward pressure againstthe operating button 51. This will cause the cam face 56 to move Vthe pivoted locking element away `from the plate 5I so as to free the teeththereof from said plate, whereupon the spring 60 will move the handle portions apart.

For the sake of simplicity of illustration, wev

have not shown the insulating means in Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 7,/which permit free' handling of the structures without danger that the operators might receive electrical shocks. It is to-be understood that each of the different structures illustrated by these views would be provided with suitable insulating means, which could be applied thereto-in various'ways which would be perfectly obvious to one skilled in theart to which the invention relates. We claim:`-

1. An electrode holder comprising a pair of associated holder members provided with handle portions and co-operating jaw portions, a pivot which passes through both 'of ysaid holder members for pivoting saidholder members imgether,v

said holder members. crossing each other so that movement of said handle portions toward each other will causef said jaws to move toward each other, and means for lockingsaid holder members relative to eachother, said means including a long arm disposed between said handle portions and adapted for movement to unlock'- said locking means when it is v desired to release the locked holder members.

2. An electrode holder comprising a pairpf l associated holder members provided with handle portionsl and co-operating A,iawportiona a pivot which passes through both of'said holder members for pivoting said holder members together, said holder members crossing each other so that movement of said handle portions toward each other will cause said jaws to move toward each other, and means including a toothed locking element for locking said holder members relative to each other, said means including a long arm disposed between said handle portions and adapted for movement to unlock said locking means when it is desired to` release the locked,

holder members. i

3. An electrode holder comprising a pair of associated holder members provided with handle portions and cio-operating jaw portions, a pivot which passes through both of said holder members for pivoting said holder members together, said holder members crossing each other so that movement of said handle portions toward each other will cause said jaws to move toward each other, and means for locking said holder vmembers relative to each other, said means comprising a toothed element movable with one of said holder members, a locking element movable with the other of said holder members which is adapted to engage the teeth of said toothed element, and a long arm located between said handle portions for disconnecting the teeth of said toothed element and said locking element When it is desired to unlock the locked holder members. 1

4. An electrode holder comprising a pair of associated holder members provided with handle element movable with one of said holder mem-l bers, a locking element movable with the other of said holder members which is adapted to engage the teeth of said toothed element, and a long arm located between said handle portions for disconnecting the teeth of. said toothed element and said locking element when it is desired to unlock the locked holder members.

ARTHUR J. FAUSEK. IRWING F. FAUSEK. 

